As the 77th Cannes Film Festival draws to a close, several major contenders have already found distributors, while many anticipated titles are still seeking buyers following Saturday’s awards ceremony.
Unlike last year, the market was not significantly impacted by writers’ or actors’ strikes, allowing companies like A24, Neon, Apple, and others to actively acquire exciting packages with potential for future awards.
Neon Acquires Palme d’Or Winner ‘Anora’
Film: Anora
Director: Sean Baker
Distributor: Neon (U.S.)
Synopsis: Anora tells a love story between a rich Russian oligarch and a sex worker. In his acceptance speech, Baker dedicated the award to sex workers, emphasizing the importance of cinema in movie theaters. This acquisition marks Neon’s fifth consecutive Palme d’Or win, following Anatomy of a Fall last year.
Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Seeks U.S. Distribution
Film: Megalopolis
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Budget: $120M
Status: Seeking U.S. distribution
Current Distributors: Le Pacte (France), rights sold in 13 more countries, including Australia.
Despite its high-profile director and substantial budget, Megalopolis has yet to secure a domestic distributor.
Netflix Nears Deal for ‘Emilia Perez’
Film: Emilia Perez
Director: Jacques Audiard
Distributor: Nearing a deal with Netflix for U.K. and U.S. rights
Cast: Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón
Accolades: Best Actress Ensemble
Synopsis: Set in Mexico, the film revolves around a lawyer who assists a drug cartel leader with a sex change operation.
Mubi Picks Up ‘The Substance’
Film: The Substance
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Distributor: Mubi (U.S.)
Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley
Accolades: Best Screenplay
Synopsis: An aging actress takes a medication to reveal a younger version of herself. The film is set for U.S. theatrical release on September 20th.
‘All We Imagine As Light’ Acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films
Film: All We Imagine As Light
Director: Payal Kapadia
Distributor: Sideshow and Janus Films (U.S.)
Accolades: Grand Prix
Synopsis: The story centers on a nurse in Mumbai longing for her husband who left for work in Germany after their arranged marriage.
Mubi Acquires U.S. Rights for ‘Bird’
Film: Bird
Director: Andrea Arnold
Distributor: Mubi (U.S., U.K., and Ireland)
Cast: Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, Nykiya Adams
Synopsis: This coming-of-age story follows a 12-year-old girl who befriends a mysterious man in her small town.
REELated:
Neon Buys ‘The Seed of a Sacred Fig’
Film: The Seed of a Sacred Fig
Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
Distributor: Neon (U.S.)
Accolades: Prix Special of the Jury
Background: Rasoulof, who fled Iran ahead of the festival, received a standing ovation at Cannes.
A24 Acquires ‘Parthenope’
Film: Parthenope
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Distributor: A24 (U.S.)
Cast: Celeste Dalla Porta, Gary Oldman
Synopsis: An exploration of freedom, love, and the multifaceted city of Naples. The film received mixed reviews but was highly anticipated.
Mubi Buys ‘The Girl With The Needle’
Film: The Girl with the Needle
Director: Magnus Von Horn
Distributor: Mubi
Cast: Vic Carmen Sonne, Trine Dyrholm
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, this black-and-white film set in 1910s Copenhagen tells the tale of infant serial killer Dagmar Overbye.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival saw a blend of established and emerging filmmakers securing deals for theatrical releases and streaming platforms, ensuring a diverse lineup for the upcoming awards season. Studios like Neon, Mubi, and A24 continue to dominate the festival circuit, picking up strong contenders for the year ahead.
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